News from September 2021
Estate of car accident victim settles wrongful death lawsuit with State Farm for $100K
SCRANTON – A fatal motor vehicle collision and subsequent lawsuit in a Lackawanna County court has had a settlement petition in the action submitted at a tentative amount to be distributed of $100,000.
Third Circuit rules 'relation-back' doctrine allows for amendment of pleadings after statute of repose period expires
PHILADELPHIA – A federal appellate court’s ruling has provided clarifying guidance as to the circumstances by which exceptions are considered and given to the statute of repose under federal law, through an investor dispute action involving a Pennsylvania regional transportation entity.
Delaware County and care facility are appealing loss in COVID wrongful death case to D.C. appellate court
PHILADELPHIA – Delaware County and a local senior care facility are appealing the defeat of their dismissal motion in a wrongful death lawsuit, filed by the surviving children of a man who died from COVID-19 while under the facility’s care, to a Washington, D.C. federal appellate court.
Couple's lawsuit against West Penn Hospital over radiology tech's hidden camera may be transferred
PITTSBURGH – A married couple’s lawsuit which alleged that West Penn Hospital was negligent in employing a radiology technician who used hidden cameras there to record more than 50 female patients in states of undress, including one of the plaintiffs, may be transferred to the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas’s Commerce and Complex Litigation Center.
Folcroft Swim Club discounts allegations that its negligence led to the drowning death of a 13-year-old
MEDIA – Folcroft Swim Club has denied allegations of negligence and lax security levied by the parents of a 13-year-old child who drowned at the facility two years ago and subsequently filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the club.
Staff members at school for children with autism deny they discriminated against Black instructors
MEDIA – Staff at a school for children with autism spectrum disorders disavow allegations that they acted in a racially-discriminatory fashion towards two of their Black co-workers, prior to their respective resignation and firing.
Bicyclist alleges Trek bike's front suspension failure caused fall to pavement
PITTSBURGH — A bicyclist alleges the front suspension failure of her Trek bicycle caused her to violently fall to the pavement and suffer injuries.
Radiologist allegedly missed patient's kidney stone on imaging test
PITTSBURGH — A couple allege a radiologist missed a kidney stone on the husband's imaging, which caused him to suffer an infection and other health issues.
GOP pols and parents file suit versus Gov. Wolf over statewide school mask mandate
HARRISBURG – The Republican leader of the Pennsylvania Senate, a Republican state representative and a group of parents are litigating to overturn a statewide school mask mandate issued by the administration of Gov. Tom Wolf.
Face mask mandate pauses safety lawsuit by special needs Central Bucks students
PHILADELPHIA – A group of Bucks County parents to children with disabilities have brought a federal court lawsuit to ensure that the Central Bucks School District provides reasonable accommodations to disabled students by implementing a COVID-19 health and safety plan aligned with current federal, state and local guidance.
West Chester residents who challenged borough's COVID-19 orders appeal dismissal of their case to Third Circuit
PHILADELPHIA – A pair of West Chester residents are appealing the dismissal of their suit against the municipality and its mayor and challenging the constitutionality of their emergency declaration orders issued during the coronavirus pandemic to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Verizon pursuing judgment against White Deer Township zoning board, says denial hurts local customer base
WILLIAMSPORT – Verizon has filed for summary judgment in a suit which claimed a municipal zoning board in North Central Pennsylvania violated federal law in denying it the opportunity to build a cell phone tower, and that the denial prevents a sizable area from obtaining its wireless telecommunications services.
Weber Gallagher argues that former chief marketing officer was fired for cause, not for reporting racism in the firm
PHILADELPHIA – A Philadelphia law firm has countered litigation brought by its former chief marketing officer, who alleged she was fired when she complained of racially discriminatory practices within the firm, by arguing she was instead fired for just cause.
Class action alleges Great American Welding, Riley Power violated Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act
PITTSBURGH — Great American Welding and Riley Power are facing a class action alleging violation of the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act.
Philadelphia teacher alleges she was fired over maternity leave, Postpartum Depression diagnosis
PHILADELPHIA — A Philadelphia elementary school teacher claims she was fired due to her maternity leave and Postpartum Depression diagnosis.
Police officer attacked by Rottweiler at mobile home park claims dog owner's, park's negligence
MEDIA — A police officer who was attacked by a Rottweiler while responding to a call at a mobile home park is claiming the dog owner's and mobile home park's negligence.
Eddystone man says he was removed from Civil Service Commission and defamed by mayor and councilmember
MEDIA – A member of the Civil Service Commission in the Borough of Eddystone contends that he was removed from that post and defamed during a council meeting by the mayor and a councilperson regarding his alleged criminal record, which the plaintiff says does not exist.
Federal case which alleged discrimination against Black applicants of Vesper Dayclub is settled
PHILADELPHIA – A Philadelphia woman’s lawsuit which accused the Vesper Dayclub in Northern Liberties of discriminating through its membership application process against prospective Black members has been settled.
General Motors moves to seal terms of settlement it made with mother of man who died in fiery auto accident
PITTSBURGH – General Motors has filed a motion to seal the terms of a settlement it entered into with a Penfield plaintiff whose son was burned alive and killed in an auto accident, and who represented the decedent in a subsequent survival and wrongful death lawsuit.
Pittsburgh plaintiff who claimed he got shoulder infection from flu vaccine drops case against Giant Eagle
PITTSBURGH – A Pittsburgh man who claimed that he received a severe shoulder infection as a result of an improperly administered influenza vaccine given at a Giant Eagle supermarket, has discontinued his case without prejudice.